Method of producing molded glasses bodies according to the press molding method, and an apparatus particularly suited for executing this method

ABSTRACT

The method of the invention provides that a predetermined quantity of molten glass necessary for producing molded glass bodies according to the press-molding method is poured into a press mold prior to the insertion of the molding plug while the press mold is located in the press station, and that the molded glass body is removed after the molding plug is withdrawn from the press mold, with this mold likewise being located in the pressing station. This method renders a mold transport superfluous. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for executing the method, in which the molding plug can be pivoted laterally from its initial position located outside of the press mold about an axis extending transversely to the center axis of the molding plug.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of producing molded glass bodies inaccordance with the press-molding method, and to an apparatusparticularly suited for executing this method.

Generally, the methods used for molding glass bodies are those whichinvolve a plurality of press molds disposed with constant angularspacing on a rotatable machine table. After the press mold that islocated under a filling apparatus, the so-called feeder, has been filledwith a predetermined quantity of molten glass, the table is turned bythe angular distance of two adjacent press molds, so that the one nowcontaining the molten glass is positioned under a molding plug. Themolding plug, which determines the interior shape of the molded glassbody, is lowered into the mold and presses the molten glass into itsactual exterior shape. During this procedure, the adjacent press mold,which is now located under the feeder, is filled with molten glass.After the minimum time required to complete the forming of the glassbody, which is usually in a range of a few seconds, the molding plug iswithdrawn from the press mold, the machine table is rotated again by theangular distance of two adjacent molds, and the cycle starts over.

The completed molded glass body remains in its press mold until it hascooled, through radiant emission and in particular through heatdissipation via the press mold, to the point at which it has solidifiedinto a dimensionally-stable body. Typically, the time required forcooling significantly exceeds the pressing time for completing themolding procedure, so the molded glass body has to be cooled in the moldfor the duration of several cycles. Therefore, the machine table must beequipped with at least enough press molds that the time required fortransport from the pressing station to an unmolding station at leastcorresponds to the time required for cooling. The formula for thecooling time t_(k) is:

t _(k)=(z−1)t _(p) =zt _(T),

where z is the number of cycles, t_(T) is the pressing time and t_(P) isthe time the rotating table requires to turn by an angular distancecorresponding to the spacing between two adjacent molds. The capabilityof such a method, therefore, does not merely depend on the minimumpressing time required for molding the glass body, but it issubstantially limited by the time required to cool the molded glass bodyuntil it solidifies.

Hence, a significant disadvantage of the procedure is that thecapability of the method cannot be increased significantly, even withthe use of more expensive and more efficient pressing drives, whichallow for faster molding of the glass body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of a method known in the related art, but not previouslypublished, and an apparatus particularly suited for executing the methodis to overcome these disadvantages.

In the method, the molding plug remains in contact with the molded glassbody in the press mold following the actual pressing process. Thus, thecontact with the metal molding plug allows an intensive heat transferfrom the inside of the molded glass body to the molding plug, inaddition to the dissipation of heat from the outside of the molded glassbody via the press mold. Thus, in comparison to conventional methods, inwhich cooling air is often injected into the interior of the moldedglass body, the molding plug effects a significantly more effectivecooling of the inside of the molded glass body. This translates into asignificant reduction of the time span over which the molded body mustremain in the mold until at least the regions close to the surface havecooled to a temperature at which the molded body possesses sufficientinherent stability to be removed from the mold and transferred to acooling station. Therefore, in this method, the mold is ready to be usedin another pressing process after only a short time.

A disadvantage of these known methods is that a predetermined quantityof molten glass for the molded glass body is introduced into a separatefilling station disposed upstream of the pressing station; on the onehand, the separate filling station increases the structural outlay foran apparatus suitable for executing this method, and, on the other hand,the time needed to transfer the mold from the filling station into thepressing station limits the maximum performance achievable with thismethod.

It is thus an object of the invention to develop a method with whichthis limitation of the capability of a glass-molding machine iseliminated without necessitating a significantly greater outlay formachinery. It is further an object of the invention to provide aglass-molding apparatus that is particularly suited for executing thismethod.

These objects are accomplished by the method and the glass moldingapparatus disclosed in the application.

Because the predetermined quantity of molten glass is poured into thepress molds located in the pressing station prior to the insertion ofthe molding plug, it is possible to omit the separate filling stationdisposed upstream of the pressing station with regard to the successionof method steps over time, which station is often a standard feature ofconventional methods. Furthermore, the molded glass body can also bewithdrawn from the press mold while the mold is located at the pressingstation, eliminating the need for a mold transport. These measures notonly decrease the structural outlay for an apparatus suitable forexecuting the method of the invention—for example by saving the moldneeded thus far for the separate filling station—but also increase thecapability of the method in this invention in comparison to conventionalmethods by saving the transport of the mold that has been filled with apredetermined quantity Of molten glass from the filling station to thepressing station, and possibly the transfer of the mold from thepressing station to the withdrawal station.

The molding plug is pivoted laterally, from its inoperative position forthe filling process of the predetermined quantity of molten glass aboutan axis transverse to the lengthwise axis of the molding plug. Thismeasure increases the space above the opening of the press mold that isavailable for the glass-filling process in the pressing station, whichpermits the apparatuses necessary for filling, even those of morevoluminous structure, to be positioned problem-free above the opening ofthe mold. Thus, it is possible to avoid the use of special filigreeapparatuses for filling, which would mean an increased structural outlayand greater susceptibility to failures. In addition, withdrawing themolded glass body from above is manageable without necessitating liftingthe plug out of the mold by a large stroke to create the necessary freespace, which would negatively influence the capability achievable inthis method.

With a low structural outlay and particular reliability, the mold can befilled with the predetermined quantity of molten glass after rotation ofthe molding plug if a feeding chute connected by the so-called feeder isrotated from an initial position that permits the insertion of themolding plug into the press mold into a position in which the open endof the supply line communicates with the mold opening, with the chuterotating back to its initial position after the filling process iscomplete.

The capability of the method according to the invention can be greatlyincreased if the predetermined quantity of molten glass is concurrentlysupplied to a plurality of molds located in the pressing station priorto the insertion of the molding plug, and glass bodies are pressed frommolten glass with a corresponding number of molding plugs. The increasein capability is achieved with a relatively low additional structuraloutlay, involving only the additional molding plugs, press molds anddevices for filling the press molds with the predetermined quantity ofmolten glass.

A modification of the method of the invention for a possible applicationis also disclosed. In this embodiment, partial molded bodies—forexample, two halves of a glass module—that can be joined to form asingle component are pressed concurrently in at least two press molds.After the partial molded bodies have cooled, at least in the regionsnear their surfaces, to a temperature that allows them to be withdrawnfrom the press molds, they are withdrawn with the aid of an apparatusknown per se, and transferred directly to another known apparatus thatjoins the partial bodies. Since only a relatively short period of timeis needed for the transfer process, the heat retained in the halves canbe used in the joining process. Therefore, the amount of energynecessary to reheat the adjoining surfaces in order to form the seampoint can be reduced considerably in comparison to conventional methods.

In another advantageous modification of the method, a pressing stationcomprises a sequence of different press molds and molding plugs, whichserve in multiple-step formation of a molded glass body. To this end,various parts of the molded body are molded concurrently in differentpress molds, which are configured such that each partial piece producedin an earlier cycle and adjacent to the [part] to be formed can beinserted into the press mold, with the exception of the first press moldin the sequence, such that the formation of the further part of themolded glass body and its joining with the adjacent part are effectedconcurrently in the molding process. The partial piece inserted into thepress mold need not be produced in the same sequence, but can originatefrom another apparatus, for example from a blowing machine.

A glass-molding apparatus that is particularly suited for executing themethod of the invention is disclosed. It is, nevertheless, also possibleto use this glass-molding apparatus advantageously in the execution ofconventional methods. Because the molding plug can be pivotedlaterally—with respect to the pressing direction—from its inoperativeposition outside of the press mold, a press mold located in the pressingstation is easily accessible without necessitating disassembly.Consequently, necessary manipulations can be made to the press mold withrelatively little effort in comparison to conventional glass-moldingapparatuses. Furthermore, after the molding plug has been pivoted, theopening of the press mold is easily accessible, so the predeterminedquantity of molten glass can be poured into the press mold located inthe pressing station, even by relatively voluminous filling devices. Inprinciple, it would also be possible to enlarge the free space above thepress mold employing a particularly long stroke of the molding plug.This measure, however, would stipulate larger apparatus dimensions, andwould decrease the capability of the apparatus due to the time necessaryfor performing the long stroke movement.

The predetermined quantity of molten glass needed for the molded glassbody is supplied by the feeder, preferably with the aid of feedingchutes which, when the molding plug is laterally pivoted, can bedisplaced into a position in which the chute end communicates with theopening of the press mold.

The glass-molding apparatus advantageously effects a fast, precise andlow-maintenance power transmission from the force generator to themolding plug if it includes a pressing rod that is guided to bedisplaceable in its axial direction, cooperates with the force generatorwith one end and operates the molding plug with the other end.

In a first preferred embodiment of the glass-molding apparatus, theability of the molding plug to pivot is achieved structurally if apivoting bracket, which pivots about its axis transverse to the pressingdirection, is mounted to the frame of the apparatus. The bracketcomprises a rail arrangement on which the molding plug is seated via acarriage. The carriage allows the molding plug to be pressed into thepress mold to perform the actual pressing process.

The bracket is preferably supported on a pivoting device of variablelength that acts perpendicularly to the pivoting axis and is mounted tothe frame so that, not only can the molding plug pivot about thepivoting axis, it can also be fixed at any desired angle with the aid ofthe pivoting device.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the variable-length pivotingdevice, in which the device includes a pivoting rod that is hinged byone end to the bracket and is guided to be displaceable in its axialdirection is disclosed. The other end of the rod rests against a camdisk driven by an electric motor.

In the first preferred embodiment, the connection of the pressing rod tothe molding plug is advantageously achieved via a knee link whose hingeaxis extends parallel to the pivoting axis.

To assure an especially effective power transmission from the forcegenerator to the molding plug, hence achieving higher pressingpressures, it is advantageous to dispose the pressing rod such that itscenter axis extends flush with the center axis of the molding plugduring the pressing process.

The time required to fill the press mold with the predetermined quantityof molten glass is minimized if the feeding chute is displaced into itsfilling position at the same time that the molding plug pivots out ofits inoperative position. A particularly structurally simple measuresuited for this purpose includes a feeder chute hinged to the frames andconnected to the pivotable bracket.

The access to a press mold, the withdrawal of a molded glass body fromthe press mold and the transport of the molded glass body are simplifiedif the molding plug can be pivoted from its initial position toward theclosed side of the apparatus frame.

A second preferred embodiment of the glass-molding apparatus, which isparticularly suited for molded glass bodies that can be produced simplywith lower pressing forces, is disclosed. In this glass-moldingapparatus, a rail arrangement provided with a carriage structure that isdisplaceable in the pressing direction is provided on the frame. Thiscarriage structure supports a retainer that protrudes from the closedside of the frame during the pressing process, and to which the moldingplug is secured. Since the retainer can be pivoted back to the closedside of the frame about an axis disposed in the region of the carriagestructure when the molding plug is outside of the press mold, only arelatively short movement is necessary for achieving the desired amountof free space above the press mold due to the relatively small distancebetween the pivoting axis and the molding plug. Consequently, the clockfrequency and thus also the capability of the glass-molding apparatuscan be increased.

If the retainer is approximately U-shaped such that the open side of theU faces the press mold during the pressing process, and the pivotingaxis extends through one leg of the U, whereas the other leg supportsthe molding plug, then pivoting angles of 90° suffice to completelyuncover the open side of the press mold.

To ensure the desired pivotability of the retainer supporting themolding plug in this preferred embodiment of the glass-moldingapparatus, it is advantageous if the end of the pressing rod thatoperates the molding plug is connected to the carriage structure. Thepressing force to be applied via the molding plug is limited, however,because it must be transferred from the retainer to the molding plug.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment the force generator comprisesa cam disk driven by an electric motor with adjustable torque and speed.This embodiment permits the molding plug to be inserted particularlyquickly and with high precision, on the one hand, and on the other hand,this force generator is distinguished by the fact that it can beproduced economically and requires little maintenance. In addition, thenoise level is low during operation.

Because the electric motor driving the cam disk has adjustable torqueand speed, the forward feed with which the molding plug is inserted intothe press mold, as well as the force exerted on the molded glass bodyduring the pressing process, can be easily adapted to the requirementsspecified for the molded glass body. If necessary, a “pressing forceprogram” can be implemented by varying the current with which theelectric motor is charged, i.e., the pressing force can be varied duringthe pressing process. Through the selection of a corresponding cam diskshape, the speed course of the forward feed can be mechanicallypreselected while the molding plug is lowered, so that this course canalso be adapted to individual requirements specified for the respectivemolded glass body or the glass material used.

In a preferred embodiment the electric motor is a three-phaseservomotor, because this type of motor permits particularly fine-sensorycontrol of the speed and the torque it generates. The molding plug canalso be withdrawn precisely from the press mold if a countercam disk isused to withdraw it.

Tests have shown that particularly good pressing results are achieved ifthe device for withdrawing the molding plug is an elastic elementexerting force on the pressing rod counter to the pressing direction.

It is, however, also possible to effect the withdrawal of the plug usinga hydraulically- or pneumatically-driven cylinder or a counterweight.

The elastic element requires little maintenance and can be producedeconomically if it comprises at least a coil spring.

To increase the capability of a glass-molding apparatus of theinvention, it is advantageous if a plurality of press molds is providedwith a corresponding number of molding plugs, with each being associatedwith a press mold.

A possible preferred application of such an apparatus provides that thepress molds and the molding plug are configured such that partial moldedbodies that can be joined to form one component are pressed in apressing process. It is further advantageous if a device is provided towithdraw the partial molded bodies from the press molds and transferthem to an apparatus so they can be joined. With this measure, it ispossible to transfer the partial molded bodies to the joining apparatuswithin a short time after at least the regions near the surface havecooled to a temperature such that they possess the necessary rigidity tobe withdrawn and transported. Due to the substantial amount of heatstill stored in the partial molded bodies at this time, the energyrequired to join the partial molded bodies is reduced considerably incomparison to conventional methods, in which a relatively long period oftime elapses between the pressing and joining steps.

The subject of another embodiment of the invention includes aglass-molding apparatus equipped with a plurality of press molds and acorresponding number of molding plugs. This device comprises a sequenceof press molds and molding plugs that serve to form the molded glassbodies in multiple steps.

It is also particularly advantageous if the sequence comprises pressmolds and molding plugs with which different parts that combine to formthe entire molded glass body can be pressed during a pressing process.

If the press molds after the first press mold in a sequence, areconfigured such that the part of the molded glass body pressed in theprevious sequence can be inserted into the press mold in the followingsequence, and the part to be pressed therein can be simultaneouslypressed and attached to the inserted part. Thus, a later joining of theindividual parts of the molded glass body is eliminated, which can savefurther process steps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings schematically illustrate the method of the invention, aswell as a glass-molding apparatus that is particularly suited for use ofthe method of the invention in which:

FIG. 1 a representation of the method of the invention employing alinear, eight-mold table and eight molding plugs;

FIG. 2 a side view of an embodiment of the glass-molding apparatusparticularly suited for executing the method of the invention, while thepredetermined quantity of molten glass is being filled and the moldingplug is pivoted;

FIG. 3 a sectional view of the press mold provided in the glass-moldingapparatus of FIG. 3 (detail A in FIG. 3);

FIG. 4 a possible embodiment of a cooling mold for purposeful coolingand support of the molded glass body after the pressing process;

FIG. 5 the structure of an apparatus for producing one of the two halvesof a component;

FIGS. 6a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 d, 6 e, 6 f and 6 g a representation of the stepsof the withdrawal and joining procedures for both halves in an apparatusof FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7a, 7 b, 7 c and 7 d the production steps in an apparatus in whichthe molded glass bodies are formed in two consecutive pressingprocesses; and

FIG. 8 another preferred embodiment of a pivotably-seated molding plug.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter “above” and “below” refer to the upright operation of therespective glass-molding apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 through 8.

FIG. 2 explains the course of the method according to the inventionusing the example of an apparatus that includes a linear machine table11 having eight press molds 12, as well as a glass-molding apparatus 13comprising eight molding plugs 14. To produce a molded glass body, firsta feeder, which is equipped with a pivoting feeder chute, not shown inthe drawing, is used to pour a predetermined quantity of molten glassinto the respective press mold located in the pressing station. Thisfilling process, in which the feeder pours corresponding quantities ofglass consecutively into the respective press mold, is represented bythe arrow F in FIG. 1. In this apparatus, the filling F of thepredetermined quantity of molten glass occurs in the manner described inconjunction with FIG. 1. It is also possible, however, to pourpredetermined quantities of molten glass simultaneously into press molds12 located in the pressing station if a feeder is provided for eachfeeder chute and, likewise, for each press mold.

After completion of the filling process and the return pivoting of thefeeder chutes and molding plugs 14, the plugs are simultaneously pressedinto press molds 12 and remain in contact with the molded glass bodyuntil the regions near the surface of the molded body have cooled to atemperature such that it possesses sufficient inherent stability to betransferred to a cooling station. Subsequently, the transfer Ü of themolded body to cooling station 16 is effected; the station can comprisea cold-air blower or cooling molds, not shown in the drawing, thatfurther lower and even out the temperature of the molded glass bodies.The molded glass bodies are cooled at the cooling station until theyhave solidified completely. They are then transferred to a conveyor belt15 in another transfer step Ü.

If necessary, it is also possible to omit downstream cooling molds and,instead, to measure the time spent by the molding plug in the moldedglass body such that the molded body solidifies completely in the pressmold.

A glass-molding apparatus that is particularly suitable for executingthe method of the invention is explained below in conjunction with FIG.2.

The glass-molding apparatus 100 comprises a frame 20, from which a pressbed 21 protrudes, the surface of which lies in a horizontal plane. Thepress bed 21 supports a press mold 22 on its top side. This mold isequipped with a withdrawal element 18, by means of which a molded glassbody 9 located in the press mold 22 is lifted out of the mold to betransferred to downstream processing stations, possibly after theseparation of the partial molds in a vertically-partitioned press mold.Above the press bed 21, the frame 20 terminates in a fixed bracket 23that supports the pressing drive 24 on its top side.

The pressing drive 24 comprises a cam disk 25 driven by a three-phaseservomotor, not shown in the drawing, and acts on a roller 26 attachedto the upper end of a pressing rod 27 seated to be displaceable in thedirection of its longitudinal axis in the bracket 23 and pivotable aboutthe axis of the roller 26.

The pressing rod 27 is connected to a retainer 34 via a knee joint 33,the axis of which extends parallel to the axis of the roller 26; at itslower end, the retainer 34 supports the molding plug 29, which can bemounted with the aid of a quick-fixing attachment 28. On its side facingthe frame 20, the retainer 34 comprises a carriage structure 35, whichis seated on a rail arrangement 37 disposed with a bracket 36 seated onthe bracket 23 so as to pivot about a horizontal axis. The railarrangement is conceptualized such that, with a vertical orientation,the retainer 34 can be displaced so that the molding plug 29 mounted onthe underside of the retainer 34 can be pressed into the press mold 22.

Above the rail arrangement 37, the retainer 34 has a support arm 38oriented that is diagonally upward from its side facing the frame 20 andproduces the pivotable connection of the bracket 36 with the fixedbracket 23 of the frame 20 via a bearing that is not shown.

From the side 39 facing the frame 20, a pivoting rod 41 connected to theframe via an articulated connection 40 extends diagonally upward, andsupports a roller 42 at its lower end. Below the roller 42, a springplate 43 is attached to the pivoting rod 41, against which plate apressure-loaded coil spring 45 is supported whose other end rests in aseat 44 provided on the bracket 23.

A stop for the pivoting rod under spring force is formed by a cam disk46, which is driven via a three-phase servomotor not shown in thedrawing. The eccentricity of the cam disk and the length of the pivotingrod 41 are dimensioned such that the bracket 36 can pivot between areturn-pivoted, angular position, in which the molding plug 29 uncoversthe opening 19 of the press mold 22, and a position in which the railarrangement 35 extends vertically and the center axes M, M′ of thepressing rod 27 and the molding plug 29, respectively, coincide with theperpendicular pressing axis P, along which the molding plug 29 ispressed into the press mold 22.

The pivoting rod can, of course, also be driven with means other thanthe cam disk, for example hydraulic or pneumatic piston/cylinder units.

The supply line 7 provided in the illustrated glass-molding apparatus100 is connected, via a hinged joint 31, to a housing 30 covering thepressing drive such that the line can pivot in the same direction as themolding plug 29. At a point spaced from the hinged joint 31, the supplyline 7 is further hinged via an actuating rod 32 to the support arm 36,with the length of the rod being dimensioned such that the end 8 of thesupply line 7 communicates with the press mold 22 when the molding plug29 is pivoted.

The function of this glass-molding apparatus is described briefly below.

In the glass-molding apparatus 100, shown in FIG. 2 in an operatingstate prior to pressing the molded glass body, as it is particularlysuited for filling the press mold 22 with the predetermined quantity ofmolten glass, first the pivoting rod 41 is displaced diagonally downwardby the clockwise rotation of the cam disk 46, causing the bracket 36supporting the rail arrangement 37 to pivot clockwise until the railarrangement 37 extends vertically. As explained above, the center axesM, M′ of the pressing rod 27 and the molding plug 29 coincide with thepressing axis P in this position. The halting of the rotation of the camdisk 46 positions the bracket 36 in this location for the duration ofthe pressing process, which is initiated by the clockwise rotation ofthe cam disk 25 via a three-phase servomotor, not shown. Theeccentricity of the cam disk 25 displaces the pressing rod 27 downward,where it presses the molding plug 29 into the press mold 22 until acorresponding intermediate space in the desired wall thickness for themolded glass body remains between the inner surface of the press mold 22and the outer surface of the molding plug 29.

After completion of the pressing process, the molding plug 29 iswithdrawn from the press mold 22 after the cam disk 25 is rotatedfurther into its initial position via a device that is not shown. Aspreviously indicated, this device can comprise an elastic element, acounterweight, a hydraulically- or pneumatically-driven cylinder or acountercam disk.

Because the mold base 10 has already been heated by the addition of thepredetermined quantity of molten glass, and is practically unreachablevia an external cooling, it may be necessary to effect intensivecooling, for example with water circulation, depending on the shape ofthe molded glass body to be pressed. A possible embodiment for thispurpose is illustrated in FIG. 3. In this press mold, a bore 47 is cutinto the part forming the lower region of the molded glass body, intowhich bore a water-injection nozzle 48 with water return via adouble-walled pipe is inserted. In the illustrated press mold 29 [sic],which serves in forming a stemmed glass, the water-injection nozzle 48effects an intensive cooling of the base 10 of the press mold, as wellas of the stem region of the molded glass body 9, which does not comeinto direct contact with the molding plug 29 during the pressingprocess. If necessary, it is, of course, also possible to additionallyeffect targeted cooling of the mold base 10 using a further, separatewater cooling.

As previously indicated, the capability of the glass-molding machine ofthe invention can be significantly increased if the molded glass bodiesare lifted out of the press mold when only the regions near the surfacehave cooled to a temperature to effect sufficient rigidity of the moldedglass body. This type of early removal, however, necessitates thetransfer of the molded glass body 9 to a downstream cooling station 50,a possible embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 4.

The cooling mold 50 comprises an outer section 51, which is shaped suchthat the molded glass body is supported against deformation at thenecessary points. Cooling channels 52 serving to supply or carry offcool air, as indicated by arrow P, are cut into the outer section 51 ofthe cooling mold 50.

An interior section 53 of the cooling mold 50 is inserted into thehollow space of the molded glass body 9. As shown in FIG. 4, this partmay simultaneously serve the purpose of withdrawing the molded glassbody from the cooling mold after it has completely solidified. Theinterior section 53 of the cooling mold 50 is constructed in a way that,on the one hand, the molded glass body is supported against deformationat necessary points, and, on the other hand, the section encloses themolded glass body, so that sensitive parts—in the example shown, theupper rim 54 of the molded stemmed glass—are not directly vented by thecooling air, in order to avoid tensions and the possible formation ofcracks. Likewise, it is also possible to prevent the particularlysensitive regions of the molded glass body from cooling too fast byusing additional heating devices integrated into the outer and/or innersection of the cooling mold 50.

As indicated above, the interior section 53 of the cooling device 50 cansimultaneously serve as a withdrawal element. For this purpose, an aircurrent indicated by the arrows P′ is generated via the twodecentralized suction bores 55, which results in a vacuum, via thechannels 56, of the air introduced via the central afflux bore 57 andthe adjacent channels 58 in a free space in the lower region between theinterior section 53 and the molded glass body 9. This vacuum allows themolded glass body 9 to be withdrawn—in the illustrated embodiment, afterseparation of the two halves 51 and 51′ of the outer section 51 of thecooling mold 50. If the molded glass body 9 is in the cooling mold 50,the cooling process may be intensified by the supply of high-pressurecooling air through the afflux bore 57 and the adjoining channels 58into the free space between the molded glass body 9 and the interiorsection 53.

FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which two glass-molding apparatuses 100of the invention face each other, thus permitting the production of twohalves that can then be joined to form one component. It is pointed outhere that the two glass-molding apparatuses 100 need not necessarily beset up facing each other, but can also be grouped in any arbitraryspatial arrangement. It is furthermore conceivable that additionalglass-molding apparatuses 100 cooperate if a component is to be producedfrom a plurality of parts, as described below.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 5, a feeder simultaneously suppliesthree quantities of glass 62, partitioned by shears 61, to supply lines7 and 7′. The equal-volume glass quantities fed into the supply lines 7are poured into press molds 29 [sic] in the aforementioned manner, inwhich the halves are formed by the insertion of the molding plug afterit has been pivoted back from its laterally-pivoted position shown inFIG. 5. For reasons of a clear overview, the apparatus for pivoting themolding plug, which can be technically embodied, for example, as theglass-molding apparatus of the invention as shown in FIG. 2, is notshown.

The third predetermined quantity of molten glass is supplied to aninjection mold 63, where it is forced out through an extrusion die 65and thereby extruded into a glass body—for example after closing a lid64 and the injection of compressed air into the injection mold. Thisextruded glass body serves the purpose of joining twoconcurrently-produced halves 66 into a component 67, as will bedescribed below.

The details of the production process are described in conjunction withFIGS. 6a to 6 g.

After the actual pressing process, the two halves are respectivelywithdrawn from the press mold 22 by an withdrawal element 17, whichconstitutes the bottom of the mold. Afterward, a cooling plug 68 isinserted into the half 66 from above, which corresponds in function tothe inner section 53 of the aforementioned cooling mold. Held to thecooling plugs 68 by suction, the halves 66 are then transferred to awelding apparatus 69 as shown in FIG. 6c, which would be disposedbetween the glass-molding apparatuses 100 if arranged according to FIG.5.

The welding apparatus 69 comprises two dies 70 that are adapted to theouter contours of the halves. These can include additional coolingdevices, not shown.

After the two halves 66 have been lowered into the dies 70 of thewelding apparatus 69, which is effected with the open sides of bothhalves up, each of the halves is retained by a die 70 that comprises aplurality of parts and can be opened by the coming together of the[parts] for transfer, and the cooling plugs 68 are withdrawn from thehalves 66. The retaining dies 70, which are positioned on offset toolframes 72 that can be pivoted about a common center of rotation 71, aremoved toward each other with their open ends facing the respective otherpiece. This is effected by the pivoting of the two tool frames 72 by 90°in opposite directions. They are retained at a predefined, adjustabledistance from each other, which is filled by the glass body extrudedfrom the extrusion die 65 through synchronized displacement of the twohalves perpendicular to the glass body and rotation of the two halvesvia the drive element 73.

After the welding process, the extruded glass body is separated—forexample by means of a strong air current—and the injection mold isseparated from the component (FIG. 6f.)

After the component 67 cools to an appropriate temperature, it isclamped by a gripper that extends into the recesses provided for theretaining dies 70; the retaining dies are opened and pivoted back intoposition to receive two new halves, and the gripper 73 transfers thecomponent to a conveyor belt, for example.

FIGS. 7a to 7 d schematically show the steps of a further method thatcan be advantageously executed with a glass-molding apparatus of theinvention. This method is used to produce a part 74 of a molded glassbody—in this case the base and stem of a drinking glass—in the pressmold 22′ of a first glass-molding apparatus not shown in FIG. 7. At thesame time, a second glass-molding apparatus of the invention, workingparallel to the first one, is used to produce and attach another part ofthe molded glass body—in this case the cup of the stemmed glass—to thefirst part. The first part of the glass body, which was produced in anearlier work cycle, is inserted into the press mold 22′ before apredetermined quantity 75 of molten glass is added. The press mold 22′is configured in such a way that the section of the first part 74 of theglass body to be attached to the second part of the glass body projectsinto the pressing space 76, so that the this section is covered with thepredetermined quantity 75 of molten glass (FIG. 7b). Afterward, thesecond part of the molded glass body is molded by the pressing of themolding plug 29′ into the press mold 76, and it is simultaneouslyfixedly attached to the first part (FIG. 7c.) After at least the regionsclose to the surface of the molded glass body have cooled to atemperature that permits the molded body to be withdrawn from the pressmold 22″, the body is withdrawn from the press mold 22″ with an element18′ especially suited for this purpose, and which simultaneously opensthe multi-part mold, as shown in FIG. 8d; the body may subsequently betransferred to a cooling station not shown in the drawing. A particularadvantage of this method is that the press mold 22′ and the press mold22″ can be supplied simultaneously by the same feeder with twoquantities of molten glass that may differ in volume, so thatundesirable effects resulting from possible slight differences in theglass composition can be reliably avoided.

FIG. 8 shows another preferred embodiment of a pivotably-seated moldingplug. In this embodiment, the molding plug 29″ is attached to the endregion of one of the legs of a U-shaped retainer 77, which is hinged toa carriage structure, not shown in the drawing, via a bearing 78provided in the end region of the other leg. To press a molded glassbody 9′, the molding plug 29″ can be pressed into the press mold 22″″ bythe displacement of the carriage structure, not shown, in the directionof the arrow R. The position of the molding plug 29″ and the retainer 77immediately after a pressing process is shown in solid lines in FIG. 8.As can also be seen in FIG. 8, the feeder chute 7′ is pivoted laterallyduring this operating state in such a manner that it uncovers the top ofthe press mold.

To withdraw the molded glass body and subsequently re-supply the pressmold 22″″ with a predetermined quantity of molten glass, the retainer 77can be pivoted by 90°, in the direction of the arrow W, about an axisdefined by the seating 78 into a position shown in dashed lines in FIG.8, in which position the molding plug 29″ completely uncovers the topopening of the press mold 22″″. At the same time, the feeder chute 7′ ispivoted into the position shown in dashed lines, in which its endcommunicates with the opening of the press mold 22″″.

As can be seen from the figure, this arrangement has the particularadvantage that the molding plug 29″ can be pivoted into a position whichallows virtually unhindered access to the press mold. This facilitatesthe removal of a finished glass body and the operation of the apparatus,for example, when press molds are exchanged. However, the pressingforces to be exerted by the molding plug 29″ must be transferred fromthe retainer 77, so this embodiment of the glass-molding apparatus isonly suitable for lower molding pressures.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
 1. Method ofproducing molded glass bodies in accordance with the press-moldingmethod, in which a feeder is used to pour a predetermined quantity ofmolten glass into a press mold, which determines the external shape ofthe molded glass body and into which the predetermined quantity ofmolten glass is pressed with the aid of a molding plug that determinesthe internal shape of the molded glass body and is pressed into the moldfrom an initial position outside of the press mold during the pressingprocess, the improvement comprising pouring a predetermined quantity ofmolten glass into the press mold located in the pressing station beforethe molding plug is pressed therein, pressing the molding plug into themolten glass according to a predetermined temporal dependency on forceand feed withdrawing the molded glass body from the press mold locatedin the pressing station after withdrawing the molding plug, and that forpouring in the predetermined quantity of molten glass and forwithdrawing the molded glass body, pivoting the molding plug laterallyfrom its inoperative position about an axis extending transversely tothe longitudinal axis of the molding plug, displacing a feeder chuteconnected to the feeder from an initial position that allows the moldingplug be pressed into the press mold for filling the press mold with apredetermined quantity of molten glass while or after the molding plugis pivoted into a position in which the end of the feeder chutecommunicates with the opening of the press mold and further pivoting theline back to its initial position after completion of the fillingprocedure.
 2. Method as defined in claim 1 at approximately the sametime, a plurality of press molds located in the pressing station receivethe predetermined quantity of molten glass prior to the insertion of themolding plug, and pressing molded glass bodies from molten glass with acorresponding number of molding plugs.
 3. Method as defined in claim 2,including pressing partial molded bodies that can be joined to form acomponent concurrently in at least two press molds, and removing fromthe press molds after at least the regions near the surface of thepartial molded bodies have cooled to a temperature that permitswithdrawal from the press molds, and transferring to an apparatus forjoining partial molded bodies using the heat stored therein.
 4. Methodas defined in claim 3, wherein in the pressing station, a sequence ofpress molds and molding plugs serving to form the molded glass body inconsecutive steps receives the required, predetermined quantity ofmolten glass simultaneously from a double-drop or multiple-drop feeder,after the part of the molded glass body from the press mold in theprevious sequence has been inserted into the press mold, with theexception of the first press mold in the sequence, and the molding plugsare pressed into the associated press molds approximatelysimultaneously, so that the further part of the molded glass body isformed with the molding plug previously inserted into the press mold. 5.A glass molding apparatus for producing molded glass bodies inaccordance with a press-molding method, said apparatus having a frame,at least one pressing station which includes a press mold thatdetermines the external shape of the molded glass body, and into which apredetermined quantity of molten glass can be poured and pressed into amolded glass body by a molding plug that determines the internal shapeof the molded glass body, the apparatus further including means forgenerating a force for pressing the molding plug into the mold from aninitial position outside of the press mold, in the direction of thelongitudinal axis of the molding plug, according to a predeterminedtemporal dependency on force and feed, the apparatus further including adevice for withdrawing the molding plug after a completed pressingprocess, the improvement comprising the molding plug including means forpivoting from said initial position outside of the press mold about anaxis extending transversely to the center axis of the molding plug,wherein a bracket that can pivot about a pivoting axis extendingtransversely to the pressing direction is connected to the frame of theapparatus, the bracket having a rail arrangement that serves in thedisplaceable seating of the molding plug by means of a carriagestructure.
 6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the bracket issupported on the frame by means of a variable-length pivoting devicethat acts perpendicularly to the pivoting axis.
 7. Apparatus as definedin claim 6, wherein the variable-length pivoting apparatus includes aspring-loaded pivoting rod hinged by one end to the bracket and guidedto be displaceable in its axial direction, and rests, under the springforce, with its other end against a cam disk driven by an electricmotor.
 8. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the end of pressingrod that operates the molding plug is connected to the molding plug bymeans of a knee joint whose hinge axis is parallel to the pivoting axis.9. Apparatus as defined in claim 5, a feeder chute being provided thatis connected to a feeder and can be displaced into a position in whichits end communicates with the opening of the press mold, wherein thefeeder chute is hinged to the frame and is connected to the pivotablebracket.